I didn’t doubt that for a second.
I also knew keeping my mind on sightseeing and off Stefan was going to be a stretch.
Stefan
“When you said dinner, I thought we were going out to eat,” Kieran said as he settled back against the couch cushions.
I let out a mock gasp. “Is this a complaint about my cookery skills?”
His eyes widened in obvious alarm. “Oh God,no. That was delicious. I didn’t?—”
I leaned over and stopped his words with a kiss, loving the low moan he couldn’t contain. “You are going tohaveto learn when I’m teasing you.”
His hand was on my nape, keeping me there, and I was more than happy to kiss him.
And when he’s finally learned that, he’ll leave.
I did my best to shove that thought from my mind.
At last, we parted, and I reached for my coffee.
“Can I ask you something?”
I glanced at him, my lips twitching. “You can always ask.”
Kieran expelled a slow breath, as if steadying himself. “This… what we’re doing. You seem very… certain.”
“That’s because I am.”
“And experienced.”
I smiled. “Also true. And thank you for the compliments.” I was curious to know where he was going.
He traced circles on my thigh with his index finger. “Do you ever…?” Then he clammed up.
I waited for whatever was on his mind to make its way to his lips.
Kieran glanced away, then back at me. “Do you… do you evernottake the lead?”
A beat of silence.
I smiled.Oh.
“Isthatwhat you’re asking?” I kept my voice low and even, noting the tinge of red in his cheeks, on his neck, creeping up from beneath the neckline of his shirt.
This time he didn’t look away. “Yes.”
I studied him for a moment longer, then grinned. “Sometimes.” Except I didn’t mean it as a joke, but as a promise of something more.
Kieran swallowed. “Good.”
I raised my eyebrows. “Good?”
He met my gaze, and something in him had steadied. “I’d like to know what that’s like.”
My skin prickled, and I gave him an approving glance. “Then we’ll take our time.”
His breathing caught. “You mean…”